If things workout just right, Oakland will have landed four starting pitchers for the price of two. They will have also added a starting catcher, a reliever and a toolsy outfielder. Of course, that’s assuming all of these prospects live up to their potential.

Given those returns — and the Padres return for Mat Latos — should the Mariners consider trading arguably the most valuable starting pitcher in baseball? Yankees fans aren’t the only ones constantly dreaming up prospect packages that might lure Hernandez, and he could generate a larger return than Gonzalez, Cahill or Latos.

Out in Seattle, though, at least one Mariners reporter argues that there’s still no sense dealing Hernandez. Even a massive group of prospects, or a short-term MVP candidate like Robinson Cano wouldn’t be enough. Check out the link, because a lot of it centers on the idea of dealing Hernandez to the Yankees. And thanks to my friend Sweeny Murti for pointing me to the story.